Kingston, 30 March 2022 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced a public viewing of the remains of the late Reggae artiste Denroy Morgan on Friday, April 8, 2022 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at the National Indoor Sports Centre.

The Minister said members of the public attending the Centre to pay their respects to this “pioneer of Reggae music” would be required to wear masks, sanitise and observe physical distancing.

Minister Grange said the public viewing will be followed by “a series of tribute performances by members of the Entertainment fraternity.”

Minister Grange said:
“Though Denroy Morgan was a devout Rastafarian, he always advocated for unity between the lion and the lamb, with the lion representing the Rastafarian faith and the lamb representing the Christian faith. He had many Christians in his family and he was always respectful to them and their beliefs. As such the gathering at the National Indoor Sports Centre will be in keeping with his firm belief in peace and unity”.

On Saturday, April 9, 2022, family, friends and well-wishers will travel in a convoy from Perry’s Funeral Home in Spanish Town, St Catherine to Heritage Estate in St Thomas, for the interment.

The farewell activities in Jamaica follow a private Service of Thanksgiving in Atlanta, USA earlier this month.

Denroy Morgan had a successful solo career and commercial success in the 1980’s with the hit single ‘I’ll Do Anything for You’, which peaked at number nine on the American Soul Chart and led to him becoming the first Jamaican act to be signed by a major record label.

Morgan was also the father of Peter "Peetah" Morgan, Una Morgan, Roy "Gramps" Morgan, Nakhamyah "Lukes" Morgan and Memmalatel "Mr. Mojo" Morgan, members of the Grammy Award winning Reggae group Morgan Heritage. The musical trio of Noshayah Morgan, Otiyah "Laza" Morgan and Miriam Morgan are also members of L.M.S., a dancehall/hip-hop band.

“I wish to again, express my sincere condolences to Denroy’s family, friends and the entire entertainment fraternity for this tremendous loss,” Minister Grange said.

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Kingston, 4 January 2022 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has paid tribute to the Chairman of the Council of the Institute of Jamaica, James Moss-Solomon.

Minister’s Statement

“We are deeply saddened at the passing of James Moss-Solomon, the Chairman of the Council of the Institute of Jamaica.

He was one of our great business leaders, and we recently appointed him to Chair the Council. Quickly, Jimmy started a process to make the IOJ more nimble and responsive to the people of Jamaica. The IOJ and the Ministry will miss his leadership, but we will continue the necessary transformational work that he started.

Jimmy was also a creative with extraordinary talent. He was an excellent bass guitarist and keyboard player and once led a band that included Dr. Aggrey Irons.

I join with all those who mourn the passing of this outstanding Jamaican today.

Let us keep his family in our thoughts and prayers at this time.”

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Kingston, 8 December 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced, with great sadness, the passing of Jamaican Reggae musician and record producer, Robbie Shakespeare of Sly and Robbie fame.

Minister’s Statement

“I am in shock and sorrow after just receiving the news that my friend and brother, the legendary bassist Robbie Shakespeare has died.

Robbie and Sly Dunbar (the drummer) as Sly and Robbie, have been among Jamaica's greatest musicians.

This fantastic team took bass playing and drumming to the highest level as they made music for themselves as a group, and for many other artistes locally and internationally.

Robbie's loss will be felt by the industry at home and abroad. He will be sorely missed.

I offer my deepest condolences to those he leaves behind.

Love you, Robbie.

Rest in peace.”

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Kingston, 29 August 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has confirmed the passing of the Reggae pioneer, record producer and singer Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry.

Minister Statement

“I have spoken with his son and other members of the family, and I can confirm the sad news that Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry passed away at the Noel Holmes Hospital in Hanover.

Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry was a giant of Jamaican music. His contribution to developing and propelling Ska, Rocksteady and Reggae has been mammoth.

He started as an apprentice to the legendary ‘Sir Coxone’ at Studio 1 in the 1950’s and spent the rest of his life helping to develop Jamaican music.

‘Scratch’ was an outstanding producer and singer, but he was also an inspirational figure who helped young singers and musicians to develop their craft.

I recall his work with Bob Marley. It is said that ‘Scratch’ helped with formulating Marley’s unique sound. The story is told that ‘Scratch’ gave his ‘Upsetter’ band to Marley and that band later became known as ‘The Wailers’.

Some of Lee Perry’s great works with The Wailers have included ‘Duppy Conqueror’, ‘Small Axe’, ‘Rastaman Live Up', and ‘Jah Live’.

Lee Perry has produced an impressive body of work that charts the evolution of Jamaican music — with more than 1,000 songs over 60 years. His latest release

in 2019 was a 12-track album, ‘Heavy Rain’ that topped the Billboard Reggae Album Charts.

What a man, what a music, what a life, what a genius!

I am incredibly saddened by his passing, but I will continue to celebrate his genius and the body of work he’s given us.

I express sincere condolences to his widow, Mireille, his children, his entire family, friends, colleagues and fans across the world who all mourn today.”

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Kingston, 22 January 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has expressed sadness at the death of the Jamaican music entrepreneur and impresario, Ronnie Nasralla.

Nasralla was an important figure in the export of Jamaican music in the 1960’s as a key player in the country’s participation in the World’s Fair.

Minister Grange said:
“Ronnie played a great role in the development of music in this country. He was one of the people behind the scenes who made things happen and changed the course of our culture. He will be missed.”

Through the former Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Edward Seaga, Nasralla was introduced to artist management in the early 1960s, going on to manage Byron Lee and the Dragonaires as well as The Blues Busters and The Maytals.

Nasralla produced tracks by The Blues Busters and The Maytals including "It's You" and “Daddy".

He also worked in the public relations and advertising industry, setting up Nasralla Promotions Ltd. and organised events such as the Negril Music Festival.

He was conferred with the Order of Distinction in 2013.

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Kingston, 5 January 2021 – The Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport has gifted a bus to the Accompong Maroons to assist with transport challenges being faced by members of the historic community.

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, handed over the vehicle to the Colonel of the Accompong Town Maroons, Ferron Williams on Monday.

“This handing over of the bus is a symbol of the Government’s appreciation, and the Government’s recognition and respect of the Accompong community and all the maroon communities in Jamaica,” said Minister Grange.

The bus will be used to transport members of the Accompong community in St Elizabeth including performers and members of the leadership who have to attend important maroon events across the island.

Colonel Williams said the bus will help Accompong to significantly cut costs.

“When we should leave from Accompong to Portland (to Moore Town and Charles Town) and Scott's Hall (in St Mary) we usually have to pay roughly $95,000 to $100,000 per trip which we will have to cover three or four times per year. [This bus] will help us tremendously in cutting costs,” said Colonel Williams.

He praised the Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, and Minister Grange for the donation on behalf of the Government of Jamaica to the Accompong Maroons.

Colonel Williams said Minister Grange had been a great supporter of Accompong. He described Minister Grange as the “Mother of Accompong — we don’t have Nanny in Accompong (Nanny was with the Windward Maroons in Portland) but soon and very soon we might just have to adopt [Minister Grange] as a Nanny.”

Minister Grange said the bus would also transport visitors on tours of the heritage-rich Accompong Town and help to boost the economy of the community, particularly during special commemorations.

The largest and most important commemorative event of the Accompong Town Maroons takes place on January 6 each year when they memorialise both the signing of the Peace Treaty with the British which happened 283 years ago; and celebrate the birthday of one of their most famous leaders, *Kojo.

Minister Grange said it’s important for all of Jamaica to recognise and pay tribute to “Captain Kojo who was the brother of National Hero, Nanny; as they both were part of a small band of black people who fought the British and beat them at their own game.”

Colonel Williams recalled with pride that the Accompong Maroons were “the first people to defeat a powerhouse in fighting as the British at the time were the mightiest of all. We had to use strategies. When I say we I’m talking about my fore-parents because I want to identify with them.”

The proud January 6 commemorations will go ahead with the usual support of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, but without the usual large crowd due to the necessary restrictions to prevent the spread of covid-19.

“You see, it’s a closely knit community and if one should catch the covid-19, it will be a disaster,” said Colonel Williams who added “I’ve been encouraging persons to stay at their homes. In fact, I’ve gone to the outlying district asking that they stay home… So this year we will have it via zoom [and other online platforms]. So persons will enjoy it from the comfort of their homes.”

The online celebration of the 6th of January Accompong Maroon celebrations will be streamed live on the social media pages of PBCJamaica and the Jamaica Information Service, among others, beginning at 10:00 AM.

The theme of this year’s event is ‘Celebrating the Power of Our Heritage’.

Minister Grange has urged Jamaicans to join the celebrations online as we must continue to show respect to the memory of Captain Kojo as one of those who paved the way for us to be free people today. We have to pay tribute to them and ensure their legacy lives on.”

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*Kojo is the preferred spelling of the Accompong Maroons.

Kingston, 21 December 2020 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, will be joined by Member of Parliament and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Honourable Floyd Green, to pay floral tribute at the Zong Monument in Black River, St Elizabeth, on Tuesday, December 22, to commemorate the Zong Massacre which took place in 1781.

The Floral Tribute Ceremony starts at 9:00 a.m.

Later between 3:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., the Ministry along with the National Council on Reparation (NCR) will facilitate a webinar on The Zong Massacre entitled, Lessons in Racial Discrimination: The Journey Continues.

In asserting the significance of the webinar, Minister Grange declared it as a moment for us as a nation to “pause once more to reflect on the Zong Massacre of 22 December 1781…one of most horrific incidents suffered by our African ancestors at the hands of white mercenaries and oppressors as part of the Trans-Atlantic Trade in Africans.”

She will be the main speaker at the webinar which will also be addressed by Minister Green.

The chairman of the NCR, Mrs Laleta Davis-Mattis, along with Council members, Professor Verene Shepherd and Steven Golding will make presentations, as will two specially invited guests from overseas, Ms Ife Thompson, Barrister, United Nations Fellow and community activist and Ms Marissa Jackson Sow, Attorney, United Nations Fellow, artist, human rights expert and author.

On December 22 in 1781, the slave ship Zong docked in the Black River with half the 440 Africans it had taken from Ghana for slavery as the other Africans were thrown overboard by the ship’s captain.

The Africans who had perished did so from deliberate drowning, diseases and malnutrition.

Water shortage, illness and death on the ship along with poor navigational decisions resulted in confusion. With the captain and crew arguing that water and rations would not last for everyone before arrival in Jamaica, the decision was taken to throw some Africans overboard in order to avoid more deaths which would threaten the profitability of the journey.

Between 29 November 1781 and when the ship arrived in Jamaica, 122 African men, women and children had been drowned by the crew.

The commemoration of the Zong Massacre is within the context of Jamaica observing the United Nations declared International Decade for the People of African Descent.

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(Link: Zoom Meeting ID: 934 3261 4127; Passcode: 804597)

Kingston, 1 August 2020:

“I have seen the media reports regarding the decision of the Supreme Court in a matter to do with the denial of access of a young child to education at a primary school because of her hairstyle.  

Like many of you, I’m extremely concerned about the reports on the decision as reported and I have asked to see the written ruling when it becomes available.  I have also requested that a team involving the Legal Officer in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport reviews the ruling and advise on the next steps.

The Jamaican Constitution, and I was in the House when we passed the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, does not permit discrimination on the basis of religious or cultural practices or race.  So I’m very interested to see on what grounds did the court make the ruling that is being reported.

I made the point in the Sectoral Debate just two weeks ago that “the wider society must also examine its approach to members of the Rastafarian community and pledge to end discrimination that is manifested in our actions, including the denial of school admission to children with locks.”

Two years ago, we passed a new law to bring closure to a painful chapter in history by recognising our heroes and freedom fighters for who they really were; restoring their dignity in the records; and contributing to the healing of their traumatised and wounded descendants.  In that same spirit, I commit to undertake, with the support of my colleagues, the necessary review and action to remove discriminatory policies and laws that still exist. 

Work is already ongoing with government Ministries, Departments and Agencies to ensure that new guidance issued on grooming and appropriate appearance for work or school does not target specific hair textures and hair styles, race or religion.  We must accelerate the finalisation of this new policy.

My Ministry has been charged by Cabinet to establish a Dress Code Commission which is advanced in its work.

A Dress Code Policy will be promulgated very soon to reflect the principles and values of independent Jamaica, promoting respect for our cultural identity and expression; inclusivity and diversity; and will also take into account our other realities, ranging from the economic to the climatic factors. The Policy will set the tone for other needed areas of reform, including changes in our legislation.”

The Honourable Olivia Grange, CD, MP
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport

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Kingston, 8 April 2020 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, says her Ministry has contributed a further Seventy-eight Million dollars into the Trust Fund for victims of the 1963 Coral Gardens incident.

It means that the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport has now contributed more than Ninety Million dollars into the Rastafari Coral Gardens Trust, which was officially established in December 2019.

The Trust is managed by the Administrator General of Jamaica.

Minister Grange said this represents the government’s irrevocable commitment to a programme of reconciliation with the Rastafari community.

Minister Grange said:
“There is no doubt that the events of Coral Gardens in 1963 have left physical, psychological and emotional scars on the Rastafari community and in particular on those who survived the incident. It has been decades of pain and anger, but my government is committed to taking the steps to make things right. Prime Minister Andrew Holnesss has apologised in Parliament to the victims. We have established the Trust Fund for the survivors; the Public Defender recommend a Fund of no less than 10 million dollars, today we have contributed 90 million dollars into the Fund. And we’re taking other steps, working with the Rastafari Coral Gardens Benevolent Society, and other members of the community, to right this great wrong.”

In addition to the contributions to the Trust Fund, Minister Grange said the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport is also giving special housing support for four survivors of the Coral Gardens incident.

Minister Grange said:
“We have provided funding in the amount of Six Million dollars to the Rastafari Coral Gardens Benevolent Society to run an interim care home for four of the survivors who need special care. We are moving to finalise an arrangement with the Benevolent Society for the management of the care home over the next five years, with the aim of establishing a permanent facility for aged survivors.

I continue to thank the Benevolent Society, Food for the Poor, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and our Cultural Liaison on Rastafari Affairs, Mrs Barbara Blake Hannah for all that they continue to do for the survivors.”

Mrs Blake Hannah, a known expert in Rastafari heritage and matters relating to the welfare of the community, was appointed a Cultural Liaison on Rastafari Affairs as part of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport’s thrust to ensure that matters concerning Rastafari are appropriately addressed.

The Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, through the National Council for Reparation, will sponsor the annual commemoration of the Coral Gardens 1963 incident dubbed ‘Bad Friday’ on April 10. The commemoration will take place online because of the restrictions introduced to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

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